Flood insurance in Wisconsin

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Wisconsin, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
11,155
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,009
$261 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$143.2M
across 9,522 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
55%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Wisconsin, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2008, with $34.7 million paid on 1,548 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE55%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C45%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 49% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Wisconsin

EventYearClaimsPaid
2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood2025394$17.1 million
Storm2008715$15.2 million
Flooding1998722$7.2 million
Flooding1997701$7.0 million
March 2019 Midwest Flooding2019283$6.3 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Wisconsin with detailed pages, by number of policies. 56 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Milwaukee County1,418$1,1642,435$29.0 million
Dane County985$813333$8.7 million
Waukesha County668$746462$9.4 million
Brown County599$959383$2.3 million
Fond du Lac County460$625523$7.4 million
Jefferson County178$1,351503$11.0 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Wisconsin?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Wisconsin costs about $1,009 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Wisconsin?

There are about 11,155 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Wisconsin, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Wisconsin flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Wisconsin have filed 9,522 flood claims, with $143.2 million paid out. 2,097 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.